I have heard that Canon will not honor a grey market lens or camera. My sources were from B&H so they may have just been trying to sell the higher price US lens, but I didn't chance it. I guess we could ask Canon.

Bill

Some people are like Slinkies. They bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Canon won't honor a grey market warranty, but a reputable seller like BH makes up for that with their own warranty. My 100-400 was purchased from them as a grey market lens. Thankfully in the almost 2 years I have had the lens I have had no problems.

I ended up ordering the "Direct Import" version from Adorama for $1299, and purchased a 3 year mack warranty for an extra $39.00. Together it was about 60 dollars less than the US version with only the one year warranty.

I have not used a push-pull telephoto before, are they difficult to transition to after using only the twist kind? It does not seem like it would be a big deal.

Even though I ordered the grey market/direct import version, Adorama shipped me the US version. They emailed to let me know, and are including the $50 rebate. So a US version 100-400L IS for $1249.00 is a pretty damn good deal.

There was a thread on dpreview that a lot of the larger companies (B&H, Adorama, 17 street) are shipping US versions even though the order the grey market.

Push pull is interesting to get used to, but you will since you will use this lens most of the time.

If you go somewhere dusty keep an eye out for buildup of grit on the lens barrel. SOme people have had an issue with the lens getting "sticky" from grit build up. Also keep an eye on the tightening ring. If you keep it loose you will forget and the lens will do that slam out routine. I think it is more annoying than potentially damaging...but do it enough...The flip side to that is having it tight and then trying to move the lens quickly.